Choir Chaperone

Wakefield Cathedral is looking to appoint a confident and enthusiastic individual as our choir chaperone.  This role supports the Director and Assistant Director of Music in ensuring the cathedral’s duty of care towards the children and young people in the cathedral choirs.  You will be a pastoral point of contact for those children while they are at the cathedral and support their development and progress in the choir. 

Key duties will include attending regular rehearsals and services involving children or young people, providing first aid or pastoral care as needed, contacting parents and carers as needed, and supporting the cathedral music department in maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding and pastoral care at all times.

Wakefield Cathedral has a busy music department, with various choirs offering singing opportunities to children aged 6 to 18.  The choir chaperone will work with all these age groups, including Byrd Song (ages 6 to 8), the choristers (ages 8 to 14), and the youth choir (ages 14 to 18).  You will be an excellent communicator and a team player, with a keen awareness of context and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

The working hours will average around 14 hours per week, although there will be a degree of variation throughout the year.  The role will involve work during evenings, weekends and bank holidays.  The chaperone will normally only be required during choir term, which mostly follows school terms, with the exception of services and rehearsals up to and including Christmas and Easter Day.  The regular hours will be as follows:

•      Monday 16.00-18.00

•      Tuesday 15.30-18.15

•      Wednesday 15.30-18.15

•      Thursday 15.30-19.30 (Week A); 15.30-18.15 (Week B)

•      Friday 15.30-18.15 (once or twice a term only)

•      Sunday 08.30-12.30 and 14.30-16.30 (Week B only)

Wakefield Cathedral takes its responsibility for the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and their welfare is paramount in all areas of cathedral life.  Details of our safeguarding policies and practices can be found here.  Because this role involves regulated activity with children and young people, appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Confidential Declaration and Enhanced Disclosure with Barring checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service.  Appointment will be subject to three satisfactory references and satisfactory proof of the candidate’s right to work in the United Kingdom.

Part-time, permanent
Probation period: Six months
Pay: Hourly rate of the National Living Wage (currently £12.21)
Location: Wakefield Cathedral

For full details and how to apply, click here.
Application Deadline: Friday 25 April
Interview date: To be agreed
Start date: As soon as possible